Boccieri, Renacci give final push on campaign trail

WOOSTER -- With the election just around the corner, candidates and volunteers with political parties are making one last push to get voters to the polls Tuesday.

Ohio's 16th Congressional District has garnered a lot of attention as freshman U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, D-Alliance, tries to fight off a challenge from Jim Renacci, a Wadsworth Republican, Jeffrey Blevins, a Wadsworth Libertarian, and Dr. Bob Ross, a Wooster write-in candidate.

Boccieri has had U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in the district, and former President Bill Clinton was scheduled to be with the congressman Saturday in Canton. President Barack Obama praised Boccieri for making tough choices during his appearance on "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central.

Renacci has had two of the top three Republican leaders in House of Representatives campaigning for him: Minority Leader John Boehner and Conference Chairman Mike Pence. Both were here for fundraisers, and Boehner was scheduled to campaign Saturday at Renacci's Canton headquarters.

As the campaigns prepare to wind down, Boccieri said he has been on "baby watch." He and his wife, Stacey, had their fifth child, Emma Nancy, Saturday at 6:10 p.m. Boccieri was called away from the Canton rally when he received word his wife was in labor.

Though he has been on a "short leash to the homestead," he has been focusing on talking to people and making voter contact. "Since last Sunday, we have made 13,000 phone calls and knocked on thousands of doors," Boccieri said. In comparing this campaign to his first, Boccieri said the mood is more sour.

While he did not watch Obama on "The Daily Show," Boccieri said he received a lot of text messages when the president talked about him and his tough votes on the program. The recognition surprised him.

"I think the president has gone out of the way to recognize conviction politics," Boccieri said, noting he did not do what was easy, but what he believed to be right.

If voters return him to office, Boccieri said his top priorities will be to continue to grow the economy and make sure small businesses have access to capital. "There's a lot of money sitting on the sidelines," he said.

Local Republicans have praised Renacci for his relentless campaigning.

Renacci said he will campaign as hard during the closing days of the campaign as he had for the first 425 days. The former Wadsworth mayor said he raised a family, built a business and coached ball games, and if he can do all of that, then he can handle all of the hours on the campaign trail. "When I lay my head down, I am asleep," he said.

Boehner volunteered to help Renacci, Wayne County Republican Party Chairman Jim Smail said. When Renacci got into the race, Boehner told him if he worked hard, he will be behind him all of the way. This was Boehner's way of fulfilling that commitment, Smail said.

Renacci said if elected, he will truly represent the 16th District and have an open dialogue with voters. He wants to make sure the American dream, which he has enjoyed, is available to everyone. He also wants to get spending under control, repeal the health care bill and extend the Bush tax cuts.

The county's two major political parties have been busy, too.

The Wayne County Democratic Party has had volunteers making calls and canvassing on behalf of their candidates, said Jean Mohr, the party's former chairwoman.

Among the volunteers working Friday were Cindy Slater and Becky Weaver.

Slater said she is volunteering because "losing (Gov.) Ted Strickland will be devastating."

"This is an important election," Weaver said. "We have to get people out to vote." She was making calls for Strickland.

At the GOP headquarters, Chairwoman Dorothy Ginther said they have been answering questions from voters, who are concerned about the judges' races because the candidates are not identified by party affiliation.

There have been a number of young people on loan from House and Senate offices, Ginther said. They have helped the party finish its door-to-door campaigning. Ginther said she has been surprised by the large number of high school students who have been helping at headquarters.

"I think we're going to win," Mohr said. "It's going to be close. I think our candidates are on the correct side."

Boehner has the same sentiments, but for Republicans. When he was in the county for Renacci, he would not answer any questions, but did offer, "We are going to win."

Reporter Bobby Warren can be reached at 330-287-1639 or bwarren@the-daily-record.com.